Teach You a Lesson
| Teach You a Lesson | |
|---|---|
| Hangul | 참교육 |
| Hanja | 참敎育 |
| Lit. | True Education |
| RR | Chamgyoyuk |
| MR | Ch'amgyoyuk |
| Genre | |
| Based on | Get Schooled by
|
| Written by |
|
| Directed by | Hong Jong-chan |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Original language | Korean |
| Production | |
| Production companies |
|
| Original release | |
| Network | Netflix |
Teach You a Lesson (Korean: 참교육) is an upcoming South Korean action school drama television series written by Lee Nam-kyu, and Kim Da-hee, Moon Jong-ho, directed by Hong Jong-chan, and starring Kim Mu-yeol, Lee Sung-min, Jin Ki-joo, and Pyo Ji-hoon. Based on the Naver webtoon Get Schooled by Chae Yong-taek and Han Ga-ram, the series follows an official from the Educational Rights Protection Agency (ERPA) who is authorized by the government to use physical intervention and unconventional methods to discipline delinquent students and reform the educational system. It is scheduled for release on Netflix in the second quarter of 2026.
Synopsis
[edit]In response to a rise in campus violence and the decline of faculty authority, the South Korean government establishes the Educational Rights Protection Agency (ERPA) under the Teacher Rights Protection Act. The agency is granted the legal authority to use physical force and psychological pressure to discipline students and reform the school system. ERPA supervisor Na Hwa-jin is dispatched to various educational institutions to dismantle hierarchies established by delinquent students and address administrative corruption. Accompanied by investigator Im Han-rim, Hwa-jin utilizes his state-sanctioned immunity to neutralize school gangs and restore order.
Cast and characters
[edit]- Kim Mu-yeol as Na Hwa-jin
- A special agent from the Educational Rights Protection Agency (ERPA).
- Lee Sung-min as Choi Gang-seok
- Minister of Education and founder of the Educational Rights Protection Agency.
- Jin Ki-joo as Im Han-rim
- A former special forces officer turned inspector for the Educational Rights Protection Agency.
- Pyo Ji-hoon as Bong Geun-dae
- Assistant director of the Educational Rights Protection Agency, graduated from KAIST.
- Gang-seok daughter and Hwa-jin's fiancée.
Production
[edit]Development
[edit]In late 2024, it was announced that the Naver webtoon Get Schooled by Chae Yong-taek and Han Ga-ram would be adapted into a drama.[2] In early 2025 , Ylab Plex announced a content supply deal with Netflix ending in August 2026, which industry analysts identified as the production window for the series. Developed under the working title True Lessons, it is produced by Ylab Plex and GTist, directed by Hong Jong-chan, and written by Lee Nam-kyu, Kim Da-hee, and Moon Jong-ho.[3][4][5]
Casting
[edit]Kim Nam-gil was reportedly in talks to lead the series in November 2024.[2] Following the reports, Kim Nam-gil's fanbase issued statements opposing his involvement, citing the original webtoon's history of promoting corporal punishment and its controversial depictions of racism and sexism. On November 8, Kim Nam-gil addressed the concerns via his Instagram, clarifying that while the project had been proposed to his agency, he had not yet personally reviewed it or accepted the role. He stated that his current focus was entirely on the filming of The Fiery Priest 2.[6] On the same month, Kim Mu-yeol was confirmed to play the lead role and he cite his trust in director Hong following their collaboration on the 2022 legal drama Juvenile Justice.[7]
Jin Ki-joo, Pyo Ji-hoon, and Lee Sung-min joined the lead cast in January 2025.[8] By March 2025, Netflix confirmed Kim Mu-yeol, Ji, Pyo, and Lee's appearances.[9]
Filming
[edit]Principal photography began in the first half of 2025.[7]
Release
[edit]Netflix confirmed Teach You a Lesson is scheduled to be released in the second quarter of 2026.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ Kang, Hyo-jin (July 22, 2025). [단독]'중증외상센터' 하영, 김무열 약혼녀 된다...넷플릭스 '참교육' 출연 [[Exclusive] Ha Young from The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call to become Kim Mu-yeol's fiancée...Appears in Netflix's True Lessons]. SPOTV News (in Korean). Retrieved January 17, 2026.
- ^ a b Lee, Seung-hun (November 7, 2024). [단독] 김남길, '참교육' 주인공 될까..원작 각색이 관건 [[Exclusive] Kim Nam-gil, will he become the main character of True Lessons..the adaptation of the original work is the crucial factor]. Starnews (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 8, 2025. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
- ^ Chae, Sung-oh (March 10, 2025). [단독] 웹툰 '참교육', 넷플릭스 오리지널 시리즈로 실사화 [[Exclusive] Webtoon True Lessons to Be Adapted into a Netflix Original Series]. Digitaldaily (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 14, 2025. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
- ^ "Netflix Series True Lessons (WT) Begins Production, Introducing a Refreshing Take on Education". Netflix Newsroom (Press release). March 20, 2025. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
- ^ a b Brzeski, Patrick (January 20, 2026). "Netflix Unveils Stacked Korean Content Slate of 33 Series and Films for 2026 (Full List)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
- ^ Lee, Min-ji (November 8, 2026). 김남길, '참교육' 논란에 "직접 검토 못해, 실망시키지 않을 것" [전문] [Kim Nam-gil, on the True Lessons controversy "I haven't review it myself, I won't disappoint (you)" [Full Text]]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved January 17, 2026.
- ^ a b Hong, Se-young (November 29, 2026). ‘참교육’ 드라마 제작 확정...주인공 김무열 [공식] [True Lessons drama production confirmed...Kim Mu-yeol in the lead role [Official]]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Retrieved January 17, 2026.
- ^ Casting:
- JKJ: Hwang, So-young (January 16, 2025). [단독] 진기주, 드라마 '참교육' 주연..김무열과 만난다 [[Exclusive] Jin Ki-joo, starring in the drama True Lessons..meets Kim Mu-yeol]. JTBC (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 11, 2025. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
- PJH: Kim, Chae-yeon (January 23, 2025). [단독] 표지훈(피오), 교권 위해 싸운다..드라마 '참교육' 출연 [[Exclusive] Pyo Ji-hoon (P.O), fights for teachers' rights...appears in the drama True Lessons]. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved January 17, 2026.
- LSM: Hwang, So-young (January 31, 2025). [단독] '믿보배' 이성민, 김무열·진기주와 '참교육' 나선다 [[Exclusive] 'Trustworthy actor' Lee Sung-min heads into True Lessons with Kim Mu-yeol and Jin Ki-joo]. JTBC (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 9, 2025. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
- ^ Kim, Ji-ye (March 20, 2025). "Netflix to unpack Korea's education system in upcoming drama True Lesson". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on April 19, 2025. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
